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WMU year-end gift total tops $23 million

Aug. 4, 2004

KALAMAZOO--Western Michigan University received more than $23 million in gifts during its recently completed 2003-04 fiscal year, the second-largest one-year total in school history.

According to a report by the WMU Foundation, the University received $23,040,924 in gifts between July 1, 2003, and June 30, 2004. The largest total for a single fiscal year was $26,025,019, received two years earlier in 2001-02. During the intervening year, 2002-03, WMU received
$19.5 million in gifts, the third-largest total in school history.

"It is especially evident in the present economy that continued growth in the quality and excellence of our university will increasingly depend on private support," says WMU President Judith I. Bailey. "We are deeply appreciative that those who know us best are responding to the real needs of our university and our students in record fashion."

During the past five years, WMU received gifts totaling more than $104 million and has enjoyed its five largest one-year totals ever. Most of that period fell under the umbrella of the WMU Centennial Campaign, which exceeded its original goal by $37.8 million and raised more than $162 million in gifts and pledges. It also spans a period, beginning in March 2000, of near-historic declines in many investment markets, the terrorist attacks of September 2001 and the subsequent U.S. invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq.

"Some nonprofit organizations and causes have suffered because of an uncertain economy in an increasingly uncertain world," says Bud Bender, WMU vice president for development and executive director of the WMU Foundation. "The fact that we have enjoyed the five best years for giving in our history is a testament to the hard work of our volunteers and the profound loyalty of our alumni and friends."

Media contact: Thom Myers, 269 387-8400, thom.myers@wmich.edu

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